dem ‧ on ‧ stra ‧ tion W3 AC /ˌdemənˈstreɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ demonstration , ↑ demonstrator ; adverb : ↑ demonstrably , ↑ demonstratively ; adjective : ↑ demonstrable , ↑ demonstrative ; verb : ↑ demonstrate ]
1 . an event at which a large group of people meet to protest or to support something in public ⇨ protest :
Supporters staged a demonstration outside the US embassy.
Police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration.
demonstration against
a demonstration against the government’s educational policies
2 . an act of explaining and showing how to do something or how something works
demonstration of
He gave a practical demonstration of the boat’s military potential.
a cookery demonstration
3 . formal an action that proves that someone or something has a particular ability, quality, or feeling
demonstration of
The high level of calls is a clear demonstration of the need for this service.
a physical demonstration of affection
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ hold/stage a demonstration (=organize and take part in one)
In April, students began holding demonstrations to demand more freedom.
▪ organize a demonstration
A large demonstration was organized by the opposition.
▪ take part in a demonstration ( also participate in a demonstration formal )
As many as 400,000 people took part in the demonstration.
▪ go on a demonstration British English (=take part in a demonstration)
I've never been on a demonstration before.
▪ join a demonstration
They were prevented by police from joining the demonstration.
▪ break up a demonstration (=prevent it from continuing)
Police moved in to break up the demonstration.
▪ provoke/spark a demonstration (=cause it)
The incident sparked a demonstration of 2,000 people.
▪ a demonstration takes place
Violent street demonstrations took place in the capital.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + demonstration
▪ a big/large demonstration
Opponents of the new law are planning a big demonstration next week.
▪ a huge/massive demonstration (=very big)
a series of massive demonstrations against the war
▪ a mass demonstration (=involving a very large number of people)
There have been mass demonstrations in some American cities.
▪ a peaceful demonstration
Everyone has the right to take part in peaceful demonstrations.
▪ a violent demonstration
Nine people have been killed during violent demonstrations.
▪ a street demonstration (=in the streets of a city)
A street demonstration completely blocked the centre of the city.
▪ a student demonstration (=by students)
In France, student demonstrations were disrupting university teaching.
▪ a public demonstration (=by members of the public)
A series of public demonstrations have been held in cities across the country.
▪ a protest demonstration (=in which people protest against something)
The price increases were met by a series of strikes and protest demonstrations.
▪ a political demonstration (=to protest about the government or a political policy)
She was arrested twice for her part in political demonstrations.
▪ an anti-government/pro-democracy etc demonstration
There have been further violent anti-government demonstrations this week.
■ phrases
▪ a demonstration in support of something/somebody
public demonstrations in support of the rebels
▪ a demonstration in protest at something
There were demonstrations in protest at the food shortages.